Kentucky All Stars Hoops Different Series For Pride

In a summer basketball landscape increasingly saturated with showcases, camps and AAU tournaments, the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star series remains a premier event for one reason.

Winning matters.

Unlike other elite contests designed to highlight the individual talents of rising stars, this annual series puts a premium on team play, defense and state pride.

“This is not a normal all-star game,” said Covington Holmes coach Jason Booher, who will lead the Kentucky boys against their neighbors to the north on June 8 at Freedom Hall and June 9 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “This is for all the bragging rights between two states, both of which have rich traditions in basketball.”

Kentucky players report for practice this Saturday (June 2) and Game Director Dave Satterly said the rivalry is as intense as ever. “Normally when you have an all-star game, it’s more of an offensive-minded game. This is not that by any means. It’s absolutely a war out there.”

The annual matchup, which began in 1940 and grew into a two-game home-and-home series in 1955, is the longest running all-star game in the country. A girls’ series was added in 1976 and new this year is a series for juniors that will be played at Heritage Christian in Indianapolis on June 15 and North Oldham High School on June 16.

PRP’s Jeril Taylor landed a spot on the Kentucky All-Stars and will suit up against Indiana at Freedom Hall on June 8 and at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 9.

Even with the emphasis on results, W’s have been nearly impossible to come by in recent years for the Kentucky boys. Indiana has won 24 of the past 27 matchups and leads the series 85-42 overall.

The Hoosiers’ roster this year is composed of 13 D-I signees, led by McDonald’s All-Americans Gary Harris and Yogi Ferrell.

Harris was named Mr. Basketball after averaging 25.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in his final season at Hamilton Southeastern in suburban Indianapolis. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard has signed with Michigan State.

Ferrell, a 5’ 11’’ point guard, signed with Indiana University after averaging 18 points a game for Park Tudor (Indianapolis) last season.

“Obviously we’ve got our hands full,” said Booher. “Talent is in cycles and right now Indiana has some really good, talented players coming through.”

Despite the advantage on paper, Trinity standout and 2012 Kentucky Mr. Basketball, Nathan Dieudonne, said his side shouldn’t be counted out.

“If we can get our team chemistry down…I think we have a good chance of contesting them,” the 6-foot-6 Boston University signee said. “They expect to blow us out and we’re going to go in there with an open mind and try to win the game.”

Dieudonne, who averaged 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds last season, is joined on the team by Trinity teammate Charles Foster (12.1 ppg., 3.8 rpg.), who said egos will take a backseat.

“It doesn’t matter who starts. We’ve got some good players coming off the bench and good players that are going to start,” Foster said. “It doesn’t really matter to us; we just want to play basketball.”

Courtney (left) and Christine Roush of Mercy are two of seven Louisville-area players chosen for the Kentucky All-Star team.

Mekale McKay of Moore was chosen for the team, but according to Booher, the 6-foot-6 two-sport star won’t be able to play due to summer school obligations at Arkansas, where he has signed to play football. Jeril Taylor of Pleasure Ridge Park (13.8 ppg., 7.8 rpg.) rounds out the team’s Louisville contingent.

“I think this is a great time for us to get back,” said Taylor. “There’s no telling what can happen on any given night.”

Indiana leads the girls’ series 40-32, but it is the Kentucky squad, led by Miss Basketball Sydney Moss of Boone County (23.3 ppg., 10.3 rpg.) and four members of state champion Manual, that is favored this year. April Wilson, Kara Wright, Lauren Bodine and LeAsia Wright are the Crimsons who will get one last shot to play under Manual coach Stacy Pendleton, who is directing the Kentucky team.

“I’ve found that these higher-caliber kids are more eager to be coached and taught than anybody,” said Pendleton, who has high expectations for his team. “I’m going to be very disappointed in anything less than a sweep.”

Other selections from the area are South Oldham’s Jasmine Whitfield (22.5 ppg.) and Mercy twins Christine (13.1 ppg., 4.8 assists per game) and Courtney Roush (11 ppg., 5.2 rpg).

“We’re going to push the tempo and pressure the ball,” said Pendleton. “It should be a fun game to watch.”

All proceeds from the game at Freedom Hall will benefit the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation.

Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Classic

Game I
June 8 at Freedom Hall.
5:30 p.m. (girls’ game first, then boys’)
Tickets are $10 and $19 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 502.367.5144.

Game II
June 9 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
5 p.m.
Tickets ranging from $5-$100 are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800.745.3000.

Notes

FastPitch Online Showcase, a national softball recruiting service, will host a combine for high school players on June 21 at Lyndon Recreation Park. For more information visit FastpitchOnlineShowcase.com or call 877.333.6613.